‘America First’ Trump loved hanging out with the global elite during his Asia trip

Back home in Washington, however, the federal government remained shut down as Trump’s approval ratings stayed low. It is unclear how much the trip will resonate with voters preoccupied with domestic issues. Still, at a state dinner on the final night, Trump was overheard saying, “That was a great meeting. They’re all great meetings. This was a great meeting. We had a fantastic meeting.”

For a leader who once used the word “globalist” as an insult, Trump seems to be enjoying a more international role, relishing the deal-making, the ceremonial honours, and the praise from fellow leaders.

According to Carla Sands, former US ambassador to Denmark and chair of the foreign policy initiative at the America First Policy Institute, “President Trump is working as fast as possible to reindustrialise America, bring jobs back home, and secure better trade deals for the American people and businesses.”

His upbeat mood abroad reflects a president who has struck economic deals and helped ease regional tensions. He helped affirm a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, secured nearly $500 billion in investment pledges from Japan, and obtained commitments worth $150 billion from South Korea to revive American shipbuilding, including a project for a nuclear-powered submarine.

“It’s not globalism to go to other countries and stand up for America,” said Hogan Gidley, a former White House aide. “When Trump travels, he makes sure the globe is fully aware that this president is going to stand up for the American people first.”

Gidley added, “When you’re scoring touchdowns, it’s OK to dance in the end zone, and this president is scoring touchdowns.”

Many Trump supporters had expected a president focused solely on domestic concerns, but his second term has seen a growing confidence on the world stage. Foreign governments have gone to great lengths to please him, from featuring American-made cars in Tokyo to serving US-raised beef at state dinners.

Trump has shifted from criticising allies like NATO members or former German chancellor Angela Merkel to projecting himself as a capable global negotiator. “He appears to believe in his skills as a one-on-one negotiator with world leaders,” said Jasen Castillo, a professor of national security at Texas A&M University. “All of this suggests that his foreign policy ventures are genuine.”

Still, observers remain unsure of his long-term goals. Some trade talks have produced investment pledges but not durable alliances. “What can confuse observers is that he lacks a consistent, coherent world view,” Castillo said.

During the trip, Trump praised Southeast Asian nations as having “spectacular leaders,” called Japan’s new prime minister “a winner,” and said the South Korean president “could go down as the greatest of them all.” He told business leaders, “The best deals are deals that work for everybody.”

After meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping shortly before returning to Washington, Trump said, “I guess on the scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12.”

Trump seems to prefer diplomacy on his own terms, favouring bold gestures over lengthy negotiations. At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, he invited Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to ride with him in the armoured presidential limousine, “The Beast.” “I said, ‘That’s against the security and protocol rules,’ and he was delighted to break the rules,” Anwar later recalled.

The White House said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi planned to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, calling herself “so impressed and inspired” by his commitment to peace. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Trump “will be recognised forever in the history of humanity” if he ends the military standoff with North Korea, and praised him for the US stock market hitting record highs.

Even China’s Xi seemed conciliatory, saying, “I always believe that China’s development goes hand in hand with your vision to ‘Make America Great Again.’”

Despite the White House celebrating his diplomatic success, it remains unclear whether these achievements matter much to Americans facing inflation and a month-long government shutdown. According to an October poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about six in ten US adults disapprove of Trump’s performance as president.

Still, Trump told audiences in Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and South Korea, “We’re literally sort of an inspiration to a lot of other countries.”